Suicide Bombing

[Invincible Summer]

Is suicide bombing pretty much a "propaganda of the deed" sort of act? I can't help but consider it to be as such, as it appears to influence lots of angry people to follow the same route against the West.

If this is true, why does suicide bombing seem to spur followers, but more "propaganda of the deed" type actions by the RAF/Weather Underground/etc seem to do nothing but work against the Left?

I'm not advocating suicide bombing by any means. That brings me to my next point:

Why do (some) people in the West try to "understand" suicide bombers, but never try to understand militant socialist/communist movements? It's almost like the former are "misunderstood" and "desperate," whereas the latter are just "bloodthirsty." Is it latent anti-communism (with subtle pseudo-pro-Middle East nationalism)?

[mykittyhasaboner]

Is suicide bombing pretty much a "propaganda of the deed" sort of act? I can't help but consider it to be as such, as it appears to influence lots of angry people to follow the same route against the West.
No it is not even propaganda of the deed. At least POTD has a sense of targeting strategic locations by using militant attacks, not suicide bombings. Suicide bombers are those have no other (perceived) course of actions; they have been driven by the forces they oppose to make themselves martyrs, in what is essentially a cowardly attack which only serves to strengthen what they are opposing and causing a lot of collateral damage in the process.



Why do (some) people in the West try to "understand" suicide bombers, but never try to understand militant socialist/communist movements? It's almost like the former are "misunderstood" and "desperate," whereas the latter are just "bloodthirsty." Is it latent anti-communism (with subtle pseudo-pro-Middle East nationalism)?
Propaganda, cultural hegemony. For something like 80 years Americans have been subject to anti-communist propaganda. It's not an influence that's easy to break.

[Tablo]

It does seem like suicide bombers are acting out propaganda of the deed. Difference is it is actually effective for them. It does not work for people in the west I think largely due to the general anti-violence stance and the relatively comfortable accommodations in comparison to people in much of the middle east. THey are pissed and to see others giving their lives for their cause is very inspiring. For us no one really understands or wants to understand.

[(A)narcho-Matt]

Suicide Bobing is inherently reactionary. 1st it compels the individual to sacrifice him/herself for the cause. Revolution should seek to emancipate the individual, any revolution that demands self sacrifice is counter revolutionary. secondly in the manner employed by islamists it targets orginary working people not targets selected for their importance to the state. Propaganda of the deed whilst not to be encouraged outside of revolution at least has a progressive aim, to show that there is physical resistance to the state and capitalism.

[PsychedelicSocialist]

I disagree wholeheartedly that our cause should be without self-sacrifice; I believe that to be an immature and short-sighted way of going about this business of changing society at its roots. That paves the way for the ineffectual tactics of "love-ins" and other absurdities.

With that out of the way, suicide bombings are an entirely unproductive and uselessly destructive action. They do little to engender support outside of a Fundamentalist perspective, kill a perfectly good Revolutionary, and generally target Working-class people and areas.

Furthermore, the entire concept of "Propaganda by the Deed" is a bit foolish, in my own opinion of course. Assassinating this or that politician or bombing this or that establishment is entirely counter-productive, and portrays us as bloodthirsty maniacs.

However, Direct Action is a different matter entirely. I completely support most Direct Action that I've witnessed or heard about. It's not going to be the final nail in the coffin of Capitalism; but it only helps. And it makes me feel good, and that's worth something ;).

[gorillafuck]

It does seem like suicide bombers are acting out propaganda of the deed. Difference is it is actually effective for them.
No, suicide bombing isn't effective. Name one instance when a movement has succeeded through suicide bombings.


It does not work for people in the west I think largely due to the general anti-violence stance and the relatively comfortable accommodations in comparison to people in much of the middle east. THey are pissed and to see others giving their lives for their cause is very inspiring. For us no one really understands or wants to understand.
It's not due to an anti-violence stance. It's because 1) It's viewed as terrorism against the USA or the USA's allies, and 2) It very often targets innocent civilians which stirs up a reaction in anyone

[Tablo]

No, suicide bombing isn't effective. Name one instance when a movement has succeeded through suicide bombings.


It's not due to an anti-violence stance. It's because 1) It's viewed as terrorism against the USA or the USA's allies, and 2) It very often targets innocent civilians which stirs up a reaction in anyone
I'm not saying suicide bombing has ever won a single movement ever, though it did win a battle(see Pearl Harbor). Suicide bombing of this type is a more recent development and has been somewhat effective in pulling frustrated people into their fundamentalist movements, while certainly alienating a few. I certainly do not agree it is an appropriate means to conduct any Revolutionary activity, but it is working somewhat for them in their recruitment.

[Scary Monster]

From what i gather- They do suicide bombing because they have no other choice. They attack the people who they feel are responsible for their suffering, which was brought about by the first world, who came into prosperity only because of centuries of raping the third world for their resources (surely you all know this already). There was this movie that i watched on the Independent Film Channel that was all about this. Id recommend it to you guys, but i completely forget the name of it